Electronic counter



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(Cl. o-27) 2 Claims.

This invention relates to an electronic count-- ing circuit and is particularly directed to a counting circuit of the series chain type for counting a succession of discrete voltage impulses.

An electronic counter of the series chain type ordinarily includes a plurality of electronic trigger circuits, each having two different stable conditions which it may assume alternately.

` Such a trigger circuit may be changed or i switch that next trigger circuit. Then, by applying the input voltage impulses which are to be counted to the rst trigger circuit only i in the chain, a multidenominational counter in the linary system of numerical notation is pro- .v1 e

Since the binary system is diiiicult to interpret and is not satisfactory for many operations. binary counters. as described. are some- .times modified to produce counters for use with a more familiar numerical system. A typical modification is one in which counting progresses in a binary fashion but at some point in the counting, the condition of stability of one or more of the trigger circuits relative to the other trigger circuits is changed from that corresponding to a binary operation, so that all of the trigger circuits are returned to their initial or zero condition of stability by the tenth count. This change is often accomplished by a feedback capacitor or capacitors interconnecting certain trigger circuits for feeding voltage pulses, other than the regular output impulses, from one trigger circuit to another.

It is an object of my invention to provide an electronic counter employing a plurality of trigger circuits connected in a series chain in the manner Ausual for counting in the binary system but having a novel arrangement for automatically changing the condition of stability of one or more of the trigger circuits relative to the others to depart from the binary system at a predetermined point in a counting cycle.

Another object is to provide a new and ixnproved electronic counter for counting in the scale of ve or in the scale of ten.

Still another object is to provide a novel electronic counter of the series chain type for counting in the quinary system.

A further object is to provide a novel electronic counter of the series chain type for counting in the bi-quinary system.

A still further object is to provide a. new and improved electronic counter of the series chain type for very rapid counting in the scale of ten which avoids the use of feedback capacitors, the reactive effects of which capacitors I have discovered tend to make a counter phase and frequency sensitive and so reduce the maximum speed of operation.

Another object is to provide a novel electronic counter of the series chain type employing a plurality of trigger circuits in which the trigger circuits are responsive to a series of discrete voltage impulses to operate sequentially in a predetermined pattern with the pattern being completed by the rst ive impulses supplied thereto and repeated with every ve succeeding impulses.

Another object is to provide a novel electronic counter incorporating a plurality of trigger circuits arranged tol complete a predetermined pattern of sequential operation with the first five voltage impulses counted and to repeat the pattern with every five succeeding impulses. and which also 'incorporates an additional trigger circuit responsive to operation of the other trigger circuits to provide `a pattern of sequential operations of all of the trigger circuits which is completed with the first ten impulses counted and repeated with every ten succeeding impulses.

According to my invention, an 'electronic counter is provided incorporating a plurality of trigger circuits connected in a series chain. Input voltage impulses to be counted may be applied to more than one trigger circuit and a control circuit is arranged to determine which of the trigger circuits to which input impulses may be applied, is to be switched by a particular input impulse. More specifically, for a counter in either the scale of five or the scale of ten, input impulses may be applied to the first trigger circuit and to the third trigger circuit and a control circuit is provided for determining which of the input impulses is applied to the first trigger circuit.

The arrangement for applying an input impulse to the third trigger circuit is such as to result in that third trigger circuit being switched by an input impulse only when the higher trigger circuit is in a certain one of its two stable conditions. Thus, each time the third trigger cir-` as to cause that first trigger circuit to be switched normally by each input impulse. However, asl

' to would effect a switching or the third trigger 1 circuit, the control circuit is'lefrective to prevent application to the rst trigger circuit of the same input impulse.

It is then evident that the switching of the third trigger circuit by direct application thereto of but a single impulse. while switching or the nrst trigger circuit simultaneously therewith vls vCl.

The anode of tube VI or the nrst trigger circuit I` is connected to the anodey or tube V2' through a pair of series connected resistors Rl and RI. The injunction point of these resistors Rl and R4 is connected to a common positive 4.yoltage supply terminal 3|. The common cathode `of tubes Vl and V2 is connected to the grounded voltage terminal 32. The anode of tube V2 is coupled to the control grid of tube Vl through a resistor R2 in parallel with a capacitor Similarly, the anode of tube Vl is coupled to the control grid of tube V2' through a resistor prevented, produces counting in the quiiiary sys- 4teni with but three trigger circuits in the chain.

A fourth trigger circuit is added to the chain to be'switched with every output impulse of the third trigger circuit and thereby provides counting in the scale of ten.

The control circuit, according to my invention, may incorporate three tubes. Input impulses are applied directly to the input of the rst of these tubes which is enective to shape and amplify the pulse. The output from the rst tube is transferred to the input of the second tube, the output of which is coupled to the rst trigger circuit. The tnird tube is connected in parallel with the second tube and has its grid connected directly to the control grid of one of a pair of tubes in the third trigger circuit. This grid arrangement is such that when the third trigger circuit is in condition to beswitched by an input impulse, the third tube is conductive preventing a pulse transfer from the secondtube to the iirst trigger circuit.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accomparwing drawings, which disclose. by Way of example. the principle of the invention and the best mode. which has been contemplated. of applying that. principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating one embodiment of my invention as applied to a counter for counting in the scale of five or in the scale of ten. v

Fig. 2 is a table in which are tabulatedthe conditions of the various tubes in the circuit of Fig. 1 during a counting operation.

Referring to the drawings, in Fig. 1 the counter is shown as comprising four identical electronic trigger circuits I, II. III and IV set on, for convenience, in separate brolteii line boxes. Each of the trigger circuits I, II, III and IV, as illusl trated, includes a twin vacuum tube comprising in effect two tubes within a single envelope, each convenience in explaining the operation, the

left-hand halves of of the tubes of the trigger circuits I. II. III and IV are referred to as Vl, V3, V5 and V1 respectively and the right-hand halves as V2, V4, V8 and V2 respectively. As the four trigger circuits are identical, only the first trig- 8er circuit I will be described in detail.

R5 in parallel with a capacitor C2. 'I'he control grids of tubes Vl and V2 are additionally connected through resistors R3 and R8 respectively to a reset line 34 and a-negative voltage terminal 33 respectively. A normally closed reset switch SWI interconnects the reset line 2l and the negative terminal 33. A pair of capacitors C3 and C4 are connected in series in the'order named between the control grid of tube Vl and the control grid of tube V2. Voltage impulses for switching the first trigger circuit are then to be applied to the junction point between capacitors C3 and C4 and through such capacitors to the control grids of tubes Vl and V2.

The operation ora trigger circuit as described is well known. An understanding of this operation may be Lfacilitated if it is assumed that at some instant the grid of tube V I is at substantially the saine voltage as its cathode. Tube Vl is then highly conductive and with the resistance of the resistor R4 properly chosen has a very low impedarice compared with that of resistor R4. Current through the tube VI is then very large and the anode voltage is not much greater than that of terminal 32. With the resistance of resistors R5 and R6 properly chosen, the voltage vdrop across the resistor R5 between the anode of tube V l and the grid of tube V2 is suiiicient to malntain the grid voltage of tube V2 below its cut-oir value. Hence, the tube V2 is non-conductive and its anode voltage is so high that the voltage drop across the resistor R2 is not sufdcient to force the grid voltage of tube Vl below the voltage of terminal 32 so that tube VI Iremains highly conductiv'e. With tube VI highly conductive and tube V2 non-conductive. the trigger circuit is one of its two stable conditions.

,To change or switch the tube or ite other stable condition e. negative impulle nity be applied through the capacitors C2 andCl the grids of tubes VI and V2. .Since tube already non-conductive, es set forth above, impulse doee not produce any direct enact oni-that tube. However, the application of the ne gative impulse to the grid of tube VI causes the voltage of the grid to become more negative. so that current now through resistor RI and the tube Vl to terminal 32 is reduced. This causes the voltage of the anode of tube VI to rise very rapidly so that a positive voltage impulse is applied through the capacitor C2 to make the -grid 'of tube- V2 more positive. Thus the voltage of the grid of tube V2 rises quickly to a value above the cut-of! value and current ow through V2 and its plate resistor RI starts substantially instantaneously.

When the tube V2 thus becomes conductive, the voltage at the anode of tube V2 drops rapidly to cause a negative voltage impulse to be fed through capacitor CI to the grid of tube Vl, augmenting the negative impulse received through age of tube V2 results in a further decrease in the grid voltage of tube VI and a corresponding increase in the anode voltage of tube VI to increase the grid voltage of tube V2. This action continues until tube VI is non-conductive and tube V2 is highly conductive. The lowered anode voltage of tube V2 with the voltage drop across resistor R2 tends to maintain tube VI non-con.- ductive thereafter. 'Ihis second condition in which the tube VI is non-conductive and the tube V2 is highly conductive is the second stable condition of the trigger circuit.

The trigger circuit is maintained in the second stable condition until another or second negative impulse is applied to the grids of tubes VI and V2. This second negative impulse drops the voltage of the grid of the conductive tube V2, producing an increase in the anode voltage thereof to transmit a positive impulse to the grid of the non-conductive tube VI. Tube VI thereupon begins to conduct current and the resulting drop in its anode voltage is applied to the grid of tube V2 to drop the voltage thereof below the cut-oi value. Tube V2 becomes non-conductive and tube VI conductive, so that the trigger circuit is again in its ilrst stable condition.

It will be understood that when tube V2 is conductive and tube VI is non-conductive, every point on the right-hand resistor network comprising resistors R4, R and R6 is at the higher of two 'voltages and every point on the left-hand resistor network comprising resistors RI, R2 and R3 is at the lower of two voltages. In the other stable condition. when tube VI is conductive and tube V2 is non-conductive. every point on the resistor network RI, R2 and R3 is at the higher of two voltages and every point on the resistor network R4, R5 and RD is at the lower of two voltages. This condition enables an output voltage impulse to be taken from the trigger circuit through a lead wire I4 connected to an intermediate point on resistor R4. Thus when tube V2 is conductive, this. intermediate point is at the higher of two voltages, but when the trigger circuit is thereafter switched and tube VI becomes conductive, the intermediate point on resistor R4 is at the lower of the two voltages and a negative voltage impulse is supplied through the output lead wire I4. From the foregoing, it is apparent that such a negative voltage impulse is supplied through output lead wire I4 once for every two negative impulses applied to the grids of tubes VI and V2.

'I'he output lead wire I4 from the first trigger circuit I is connected to the grids of tubes V3 and V4 of the second trigger circuit II through the associated capacitors C3 and C4. Similarly, the output lead wire I5 of the third trigger circuit III is connected to the grids of tubes V1 and V8 of the fourth trigger circuit IV. It is to be particularly noted, however, that the output lead wire I6 of trigger circuit II is connected to the grid ofltube V5 only of the third trigger circuit III, the grid of tube VII being connected through capacitor C4 and another capacitor C'I to an input terminal 35.

It should also be pointed out at this time that while both negative and positive voltage impulses are supplied at different times through the output lead wires I4, I6 and I5, it is well known that because of the grid current in tubes V2, V4 and V6 the positive impulse does not have as steep a wave front nor as great a peak magnitude as the negative impulse. Consequently, the values of the resistors and capacitors in the grid 6 circuits of the tubes of the trigger circuits may be chosen sothat only the negative impulses are effective to switch the trigger circuit so supplied.

Input impulses to be counted are supplied in the form of negative voltage impulses from a suitable source, not shown, through the input terminal 35. These input impulses are applied through the capacitor vC4 of the third trigger circuit III to the grid of tube V6. The input impulses are also applied through an intermediate control system, to be presently described, to the grids of tubes VI and V2 of the first trigger circuit I.

The control system is illustrated as comprising a triode VID and a twin triode VII and VI2 and is interposed between the input impulse terminal 35 and the first trigger circuit I as shown. Tubes VID and VII with their associated circuit elements act as pulse shapers, limiters and phase inverters, while tube VI2 acts as a control tube.

The anode of triode VID is connected through a load resistor RI2 to the positive terminal 3|. The cathode of triode VID is directly connected to the grounded terminal 32, and the control grid of triode VID is connected, through the capacitor C'I, to the input terminal 35, and-is also coupled via a variable resistor RI3 to the grounded terminal 32.

The anode of triode VID is also coupled through a capacitor C8 to an intermediate point on a voltage divider comprising resistors RI4 and RIS connected in series between the terminals 3l and 33. The control grid of the tube VII is connected through a resistor RIS to this intermediate point on the divider RI4, RIS. The common cathode of the tubes VII and VI2 is connected directly to the grounded terminal 32, while the anodes of these tubes are conductively connected together and through a load resistor RII to the positive terminal 3l. 'I'he anodes of tubes VII and VI2 are also coupled to the grids of tubes VI and V2 of the first trigger circuit I, through wire 36 and capacitors C3 and C4 respectively. The grid of tube VI2 is connected through a resistor RID directly to the grid of tube V5 in trigger circuit III.

Since the grid of triode VIII is connected through resistor RIS to its cathode, providing a substantially zero bias voltage, a substantial current normally flows through' triode VID and its associated load resistor RI 2. The resulting voltage drop across its load resistor RI2 normally maintains the anode of triode VID at a relatively low voltage.

When a negative input impulse appears at the input terminal 35, it is transmitted through the capacitor C1 to the grid of triode VID so that the flow of current through the tube is substantially reduced. It is preferable to adjust the magnitude of the input impulses so that each one drives the grid of triode VID below the cutoff value, thereby shaping the output impulse of triode VID by negative clipping.

When the grid of triode VID is so driven below cut-off, current flow through the triode ceases and its anode voltage rises substantially to that of the positive terminal 3l. As a result, a high amplitude, positive impulse is transmitted through capacitor C8 to the grid of tube VII. The intermediate point on the divider RI4, RIS to which the grid of tube VII is connected is chosen to maintain the grid of tube VII normally below the cut-off value. However, this positive impulse from triode VID is of sufficient magni tude to raise the grid voltage of tube VII to cause the tube to become conductive. The resistor RI6 in series with thev grid of tube VII is a current limiting resistor to prevent exces-` sive grid current peaks and to aid in positive peakl clipping of the impulse. The resulting negative impulse appearing at the anode of tube VII when it becomes conductive is transmitted through wire 36 to the rst trigger circuit I.

It is to be noted that the production of a negative impulse at the anode of tube VII depends upon the condition of the tube VI2 which is in parallel with tube VII. 'Since the control grid of tube VI 2 is connected directly to the junction of resistors R5 and RB of trigger circuit III. the grid voltage of tube VI2 is below the cut-oi value whenever tube V6 is non-conductive. On the other hand, whenever tube V6 becomes conductiv the grid of tube VI2 rises slightly above zero voltage and it becomes conductive for a purpose to be explained presently.

A pair of iive count output terminals 31 are provided, one being connected to the grounded terminal 32 and the lother to the output lead I5 of the third trigger circuit III. A pair of ten count output terminals 38 are also provided, one

being connected to the anode of tube V8 and the other to an intermediate tap on the resistor R4 in the fourth trigger circuit IV. As explained hereinafter, a voltage impulse of the indicated polarity appears across the live count terminal 31, once lfor each ve input impulses counted, and voltage impulse of the indicated polarity appears across the ten count terminals .38, once for each ten input impulses counted.

The operation of the counter may be better understood by reference to Fig. 1 and to the table of Fig. 2. Before operation of the counter is initiated, the trigger circuits must be placed in an initial or zero condition. To acc implish this, the hand switch SWI is momentarily opened. As previously indicated, the hand switch SWI is normally closed to interconnect the negative voltage terminal 33, to which the resistors R6 of all of the trigger circuits are connected, and the common reset line 34, to which the resistors R3 of all of the trigger circuits are connected. When switch SWI is momentarily opened, all points on the resistor network v comprising resistors RI, R2 and R3 of each trigger circuit tend to rise in voltage to the voltage of the positive terminal 3I to which resistors RI are connected. Consequently, the point intermediate resistors R2 and R3 in each trigger circuit, to which the grids of tubes VI, V3, V5 and V1 respectively are connected, rises in voltage to slightly above zero, a further rise being prevented by the ilow of grid current for the corresponding tube. However, this value of grid voltageris well above the cutoi value of the corresponding tube and it becomes conductive. Of course, if any one of the tubes VI, V3, V5 and V1 were already conductive when the hand switch SWI was opened, it would remain in the conductive state. Thus. after the hand switch SWI is opened, all of the trigger circuits assume that condition of stability in which the tubes VI, V3, V5 and V1 are conductive, as indicated in Fig. 1 by the dot adjacent each of these tubes and as shown in Fig. 2 for the zero condition. Thereafter, switch SWI is reclosed to apply the normal bias to the grid of tubes VI, V3, V5 and V1 which alone cannot effect a change in the conditions of stability of the trigger circuits.

With the trigger circuits in their zero condition, the rst negative input impulse t0 be counted may be applied to the input terminal 35 and it is transmitted through the coupling capacitor C1 to the grid of triode VII) in the control system Vand also through capacitor C4 to the grids of both tube V6 in the third trigger circuit III and of tube VI2 in the control circuit. Since the grids of tube V6 and of tube VI2 are already below the critical value, no change in the condition of these tubes is produced. However, the negative input impulse will render triode VII) non-conductive, which in turn will cause tube VII to become conductive and, since tube VI2 is nonconductive, thereby transmit a negative impulse to the first trigger circuit I. The rst trigger circuit I is thereupon switched so that tube V2 becomes conductive and tube VI becomes nonconductive.

*Ihe second negative input impulse likewise has no effect upon trigger circuit III but is transmitted through the control circuit to again switch the rst trigger circuit I, which in turn will now switch trigger circuit II, as is shown in Fig. 2.

The third negative input impulse also has no effect upon trigger circuit III and is eiective to switch only the rst trigger circuit I.

-The fourth negative input impulse likewise has no direct effect upon trigger circuit III. However. this fourth impulse causes tube VII to become conductive to switch the rst trigger circuit I causing, in turn, trigger circuit II to be switched which, in its turn, supplies a negative impulse to the grid of tube V5 in trigger circuit III. As a result, the third trigger circuit III is now switched and. tube V6 now becomes conductive. Y

As tube V6 becomes conductive, tube V5 becomes nonconductive and the grid of tube VI2 rises above the critical value and this tube also becomes conductive. As tube VII will not have become non-conductive by the time tube VI2 becomes conductive, the transfer of current ilow from tube VII to tube VI2' does not produce a substantial change in their anode voltage which remains low as long as tube V6 andtherefore tube VI2 remains conductive.

When the iifth negative input impulse is received at the input terminal, it is applied through capacitors C1 and C4 to the grid of tube V6 to directly render that tube non-conductive and switch trigger circuit III. As tube V6 becomes non-conductive, the reduction in Voltage at the point between resistors R5 and R6 in trigger circuit III starts to render tube VI2 non-conductive. However, at this same time, the fth negative input impulse acts through triode VI Ilfgto attempt to render tube VII conductive. Sincer the anode voltage of tube VII is relatively low because tube VI2 is still conductive, the transfer of current flow from tube VI2 to tube VII does not produce a substantial change in the common anode voltage and, therefore, does not produce a substantial negative impulse to switch the first trigger circuit I. It is thus apparent that the fth negative input impulse is eiective to directly switch trigger circuit III, but this impulse is prevented from switching the iirst trigger circuit I.

It can now be understood that the rst three trigger circuits I, II and III complete a predetermined pattern of sequential operation during the ilrst ve input impulses and this pattern is repeated with every succeeding five input impulses counted.

The direct switching of the third trigger circuit III by the fth negative input impulse causes an output impulse to be supplied to the fourth trigger circuit IV and to appear across the ve aanwas t cordance with the circuit diagram of Fig. 1, the

following components were employed:

The positive terminal 3| was at +150 volts and the negative terminal 33 was rat 100 volts relative to the grounded terminal 32.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features oi' the invention as applied to a preferred'embodiment, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the apparatus illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited onlv as indicated by the scope of the followingr claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An electronic counter comprising a plurality of trigger circuits, each having two conditions 'of stability to which it may be switched alternately by the proper application threto of operating voltage impulses; circuit means connecting said trigger circuits in a series chain: a source of discrete input operating impulses connected to a predetermined trigger circuit, other than the first and second trigger circuits in the chain. to permit an input impulse to switch said predetermined trigger circuit from onlv a predetermined one of its stable conditions; said circuit means including connections whereby each trigger circuit, except the highest, upon being individuallv switched to a particular one of its stable conditions transmits an operatingr impulse to the next higher trigger circuit effective to switch it from either stable condition unless that next higher trigger circuit is said predetermined trigger circuit in which case the transmitted impulse is eil'ective to switch it from the condition opposite said predetermined one condition thereof; a pair of gridcontrolled electronic vacuum tubes connected in parallel with each other and having a common output circuit each of said tubes having two opposite states with respect to conductivity: a grid circuit for one of said tubes coupled to said source to maintain said one tube normally in 011e f its states and to cause it to be changed momentarily to its opposite state by each impulse` from the source; and a grid circuit for-the other tube coupled to said predetermined trigger circuit to maintain said other tube normally in one of its states and to cause it to be in its opposite state only whenever said predetermined trigger circuit is in said predetermined one stable condition; said output circuit being coupled to said rst trigger circuit to supply thereby an operating impulse to said first trigger circuit upon the occurrence of a source impulse while the other tube is in said one of its states only.

2. A quinary electronic counter comprising three trigger circuits, each having two conditions of stability to which it may be switched alternately by the application thereto of operating voltage impulses: circuit means connecting said trigger circuits in a series chain whereby the first trigger circuit upon being switched to a particular stable condition transmits an operating impulse to the second trigger circuit to switch it from either stable condition, and the second trigger circuit upon being switched to a particular stable condition transmits an operating impulse to the third trigger circuit to switch it from a predetermined one of its stable conditions; a source of successive input operating impulses connected to the third trigger circuit to permit an input impulse to switch the third trigger circuit from only the stable condition opposite said vpredetermined one condition thereof; a pair of grid-controlled electronic vacuum tubes connected in parallel with each other and having a common output circuit, each of said tubes having two opposite states with respect to conductivity; a grid circuit for one of said tubes coupled to said source to maintain said one tube normally in one of its states and to cause it to be changed momentarily to its opposite state by each impulse from the source; and a grid circuit for theother tube coupled to said predetermined trigger circuit to maintain said other tube normally in one of its states and to cause said other tube to be in its opposite state only whenever said predetermined trigger circuit is in said opposite stable condition; said output circuit 'being coupled to said first trigger circuit to supply thereby an operating impulse to said rst trigger circuit upon the occurrence of a source impulse while the other tube is in said one of its states only.

ARTHUR H. DICKINSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,132,655 Smith Oct. 11, 1938 2,173,164 Hansell Sept. 19, 1939 2,272,070 Reeves Feb. 3, 1942 2,381,920 Miller Aug. 14, 1945 2,400,822 Hansell et al. May 21, A1946 OTHER REFERENCES Electronics, June 1944, A Four Tube Counter Decade by Potter, pages -113, 358 and 360.

RCA Review, vol. VII, No. 3, Sept. 1946, Electronic Counters by Grosdoi, pages 438-447. 

